Adobe Cloud Silver Lining Playbook

The passage of spring is never complete without an announcement
from Adobe in regards to exciting software enhancements. With the
spring of 2013, Adobe Cloud adds a silver lining to their usual
upgrades/updates playbook, within their video, photography, design,
and web family of product lines.

Last year's introduction of The Adobe Cloud, and the bundling of
their most popular software into a subscription-based format, was
the first step to Adobe's innovative way of streaming updates to
their software. In a bold step to bring their customers a
no-waiting-approach for new software content, Adobe has reinvented
their way of doing things. Thus, it was inevitable that with this
new format, Adobe would have to come up with a new name for their
Adobe Cloud products … and that is one of the biggest
changes to come about in 2013 … the introduction of Adobe CC.

I had the privilege to view the newest additions to Adobe's CC
content up front and personal, in a recent Adobe press event, as
well as talk one-on-one with the programs' innovators. Without a
doubt, this is one of the best new versions of Adobe products. If
you have ever considered stepping into Adobe's Cloud, their newest
software innovations will make you eager to take that leap of
faith.

Adobe's Video Path - Top New CC
Features

Adobe Premiere Pro
CC

Adobe Premiere Pro has always been the leader for professional
videographers. Yet, the CC version takes Adobe Premiere Pro to
whole new level. All the changes to this new version are geared
toward ease of use and time efficiency. After all, Adobe
understands that in this modern world of filmmaking, time
really is money.

Within the useful timesaver new features is the
refinement of the editing functions: the redesigned Timeline,
intuitive track targeting, plus the addition of new shortcuts to
make edits on the run fun instead of drudgery. Add to that
the Dupe-detection Markers; eliminating the need to spend precious
time searching your project for specific media information.

The Adobe Premiere Pro CC edit functions now also provide the
ability to edit source sequences into other sequences,
retaining all components of tracks and clips … without nesting!
Paste Attributes, is another new tool that was developed to
increase workflow, making it easier to copy effects from one video
section to another.

Perfecting color can be a labor intensive task. With the new
Lumetri Deep Color Engine you can now quickly incorporate
SpeedGrade color grades, and add unique appearances within a scene,
being assured that the results of your creative vision will appear
on the final production as you envisioned it. Also, located in the
Adobe Premiere Pro CC Effects panel is the new Lumetri Looks
folder: within the folder are a variety of preset color
effects.

Getting precise, crisp sound has never been easier, especially
with the Audio Clip Mixer; allowing each clip to be adjusted
independently, resulting in audio perfection. Also, in this global
market the need for Closed Caption has increased for numerous
reasons, and Adobe Premiere Pro CC now features the ability to not
only support closed captioning … but also makes the creating,
editing, embedding and exporting of closed caption an effortless
endeavor.

Listening to the wants and needs of their customers, Adobe took
into account that locating, linking, syncing, and sharing content
was a frustrating time-drainer. Media management has never been
easier, especially with Link & Locate. Finding moved, or even
renamed, clips using this new feature brings order to disorder.

Moviemaking is a joint effort between creative minds; and
creativity can come to its creator in a heartbeat. Being able to
sync ideas on different workspaces, wherever and whenever the
creative muse strikes, is essential.

Adobe Creative Cloud encourages creative interaction with the
new Sync Settings function: allowing the creators to collaborate
utilizing (and then removing) their personal software settings,
either on the same workspace or working remotely. Under the same
creative umbrella, is the new feature, Adobe Anywhere; like the
name implies, it allows your team to work within the same project
on a shared server. Note from Adobe: Adobe Anywhere for video
requires a separate purchase and implementation.

Adobe After Effects CC

Within Adobe After Effects CC, I was especially impressed with
the new Refine Edge tool. This seemingly small feature is
revolutionary as a timesaver. The Refine Edge tool eliminates the
tedious job of frame-by-frame rotoscoping. Instead, it allows you
to fluently separate nearly impossible foreground elements from
complex backgrounds; including background scenes with less than
perfect lighting.

The new Warp Stabilizer VFX is a must-have for those of you who
utilize handheld shots. One of the great features of the Warp
Stabilizer VFX, is the ability to apply the stabilizer to a whole
scene, or only parts of an object within a scene, by selecting
specific stabilization points. The points can then be moved, or
even deleted, depending on the visionary outcome of your
project.

To the other extreme, using the Pixel Motion Blur can create
motion where none exists.

Inserting 3D objects into After Effects compositions is now easy
thanks to the new Live 3D Pipeline with MAXON CINEMA 4D Lite (MAXON
CINEMA 4D Lite is now included within Adobe After Effects CC and
the Adobe Creative Cloud). The best part of this new software
collaboration is that changes to your CINEMA 4D files are updated
to your specific After Effects project … automatically.

Adobe Audition CC

As a filmmaker, sound can make or break your project.
Ironically, one of the Adobe Audition CC asked-for features is the
new Sound Remover. It is only a matter of a few steps to delete
unwanted background noise, as well as repair and/or restore
dialogue.

Audio editing is a breeze when utilizing the Adobe Audition CC
new Preview Editor, along with enhanced Multitrack Editing. The
Preview Editor offers new split viewing screens, allowing you to
compare sound changes from one scene to another. The enhanced
Multitrack Editing features have a multitude of interactive tools
to significantly reduce the time and effort that generally goes
into audio editing.

Adobe Prelude CC

The new features within Adobe Prelude CC include Hover Scrubbing
thumbnails in the Project panel. This new timesaving feature allows
you to hover over a specific clip, which in turn opens the clip, so
you can both view and hear the material within just that
clip. No more searching through an entire project to locate a
specific scene to review. You can also export unfinished cuts
directly through Adobe Media Encoder, allowing the clip to be
viewed on a variety of devices.

Adobe SpeedGrade CC

Adobe SpeedGrade CC takes color control to a new level. The
powerhouse of the Lumetri Deep Color Engine shines brightly. It
pushes the limits, especially when working with High Dynamic Range
content: creating true-rich blacks, as well as enhancing highlights
that may have been lost, even in previous versions of Adobe
SpeedGrade.

Adobe Story Plus

Adobe Story is an often overlooked product, yet it is an
essential element in the filmmaking process. The biggest
improvement in the enhanced Adobe Story Plus is the inclusion of
Camera Shots to your script, allowing you to coordinate detailed
Camera Shots directly into your screenwriting.

Adobe's Design Path - Top New CC
Features

Adobe Illustrator CC

Adobe Illustrator CC has an abundance of new features, almost
too many to showcase within a review of all the new Design Path
products. One of the most useful functions of Adobe Illustrator CC
is its fast and functional integration with mobile devices. The new
Touch Type converts type into objects, not just as a string of
type, but you can manipulate individual letters within a string of
type. On the subject of type, I was impressed with the new Font
Search feature, and found it a huge timesaver (yes, there's that
word again).

One function that had the WOW factor for me was the new CSS
Extraction feature. This amazing little addition creates CSS code
within Adobe Illustrator CC. You can then easily copy and
paste the code directly into your preferred web editor. Another
exciting feature is the new Auto Corners for pattern brushes;
creating corners with precise uniformity.

"Can I Sync or not?" is a seldom asked question in
regards to Adobe Illustrator CC. However, there are several new
Sync features. Sync Setting, with the help of Adobe's Creative
Cloud, works with your files on any computer platform, using the
setting that you prefer. Sync Colors that have been captured on the
Adobe Kuler iPhone app. Sync Fonts (again with the help of Adobe's
Creative Cloud), lets you pull from Adobe's growing library of
Typekit fonts.

Adobe InDesign CC

One of the most timesaving features in Adobe InDesign CC is the
improvement of speed, with its native 64-bit support. The User
Interface also has a new look to keep it consistent with the UI in
other Adobe products, such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe
Illustrator.

A printed document is a design project driven by font styles,
and font improvements are another large part of the new featues to
Adobe InDesign CC: from Sync Fonts, Font Search, and Font
Favorites, to the Instant Font Preview. All the new font changes
and enhancements were created to boost designer creativity.

QR codes have become an integral part of a consumer's life.
Because the QR Coder in Adobe InDesign CC is created using vector
codes, the code information is never compromised when resized.
Plus, the code is editable within Adobe InDesign CC.

Collaboration is another huge part of any printed design
project. Sharing your ideas, and working with your design team (or
client), is only a click away with the Adobe InDesign CC direct
link to the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Adobe Muse CC

Adobe Muse is a designer's answer to creating websites that are
design-based (with little coding knowledge needed). I love this
little program with its click-and-go design concept … that still
allows for simplistic creation of complex websites. Some of the new
features in Adobe Muse CC are: the ability to maneuver images (and
elements) that can be rotated in different directions and at a
variety of scrolling speeds. Clients can also add content through a
browser to the site that you created for them, with no destruction
to your web's design elements.

Adobe Kuler

Although Adobe Kuler is primarily known as a mobile app, it
plays nicely within the Adobe Creative Cloud, providing exciting
color options that can be used within Adobe CC programs, such as
Adobe Illustrator CC.

Adobe's Web Path - Top New CC
Features

Adobe Dreamweaver CC

Although I like all of Adobe's products, the two programs that I
use on a daily basis are Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Dreamweaver.
When I saw the new features in both programs I was wide-eyed with
wonder (more about Adobe Photoshop CC later).

Adobe Dreamweaver's biggest changes have been those that created
the perfect blend of coding and design when it comes to website
creations. This new version has a cleaner User Interface that
brings the fun back into Dreamweaver.

New support for jQuery UI widgets is just one of the many
enhancements. The PhoneGap Build Support makes building, as well as
packaging, apps for both Android and iOS devices a snap. The
enhanced Fluid Grid Layouts interface makes it easier than ever to
design for a multitude of desktop and mobile devices.

Adobe Flash Professional CC

Adobe Flash Professional CC has been rebuilt, much like a
phoenix rising from the ashes. Its new 64-bit architecture adds to
its power and stability. With improved High-definition Exporting,
dropping of frames, especially when sending large complex files, is
no longer an anticipated fear. The enhanced Toolkit for CreateJS
lets you create new ways of interacting with buttons, hit areas,
and motion curves.

Adobe Edge Animate CC

When I recently saw a demonstration of Adobe Edge Animate CC, my
first words were, "Wow, I forgot how much fun that program
is." Adobe Edge Animate CC is another one of those amazing
Adobe products that is often overlooked … but it definitely
should not be. My favorite Adobe Edge Animate CC feature is the
Motion Paths, which allow you to quickly animate elements along
specific points along the lines of your choosing. If you do not
like the animated path, it's only a matter of changing line points
to redo your animation.

Adobe's Photoshop Path - Top New CC
Features

I doubt if it is surprising to anyone that Adobe Photoshop CC
has its own section when it comes to new CC features. After all, it
is the first program that comes to mind when Adobe is
mentioned.

Adobe Photoshop has always been my workhorse program for all
aspects of photo editing, as well as CG drawing. I have been
devoted for nearly twenty years, yet I was blown-away when I viewed
Adobe Photoshop CC for the first time. Without doubt, it is one of
the best versions since Adobe first created Photoshop in 1990.

One of my favorite new features is Camera Shake Reduction.
Without doubt it exceeds the myth of "Photoshop Magic."
With a simple click, a blurry photo destined to be stored in the
trashcan, magically morphs into framed wall art. Camera Shake
Reduction is one of the many new Adobe Photoshop CC features that
falls under the "have to see it to believe it"
category.

You can now use Camera Raw 8 as a filter. Lens Correction is
another magical new feature that could easily take the tilt out of
the leaning Tower of Pisa. Use Camera Raw's Radio Filter like a
flashlight to bring clarity to otherwise hidden objects in
underexposed images. Also new is the ability to use the Camera Raw
Adjustment brush as a non-circular tool.

The Expanded Smart Object support allows you to selectively
apply Blur Gallery and Liquify effects to specific items in an
image … the best part … even after your image has been saved,
you can edit or remove the effects. OK, I have to say it, "How
cool is that?"

Now comes the real wizardry … the new Editable Rounded
Rectangles feature lets you precisely edit corners to an image. If
you are creating that image to use on a webpage, Adobe Photoshop CC
now adds CSS coding to your newly created image, which you can
easily export the CSS data into your favorite web editor.

New Adobe Creative Cloud
Collaborator

Adobe Creative Cloud is now integrated with Behance for real-time
inspiration and a seamless way to share your work, as well as gain
inspiration. Behance is one of the largest, and most active, online
sites, where artists and designers: showcase, share, review, and
sell their artwork and design projects.

The Bottom Line

Adobe is riding the cloud with no intention of falling back to
earth. Avid Adobe users may have noticed Adobe's Suite name change
from CS to CC. Those who own non-cloud-based versions of
any of the Adobe CS6 programs, be sure to backup your copies. On
Monday, May 6th, the announcement was made … with the release
date of the new Adobe CC Suite programs (on June 17, 2013), all
future versions of the Adobe Suite programs will be Creative Cloud
based content … only!

It is a big jump from owning software, to leasing software on a
yearly or monthly basis. Adobe's users are a loyal bunch, and I
have no doubt that they will continue to support Adobe's
Creative Cloud Only decision. After all, as one Adobe user
recently reminded me, "It is the way of the future … you
either ride the cloud or you fall through it."

In retrospect, the leasing of software is a bargain
when you consider all that is included in your subscription: an
overabundance of Adobe programs. No waiting months for new
versions, as updates with exciting new content are constantly
streamed to your Adobe Creative Cloud account as soon as they are
available. Currently, your yearly subscription also includes 20GB
of storage space. Plus, your Adobe Creative Cloud account is the
main gateway for sharing and collaborating, especially with Adobe's
recent partnership with Behance, and a growing closet filled with
fonts from Adobe Typekit. Adobe will also include extensive
software training with each new product release.

Pricing for the new Adobe CC
Experience

$19.99 a month (for the first year) for CS6 new customers

$29.99 a month (for the first year) for CS3-CS5 new
customers

$49.99 a month for new customers and previous Adobe Creative
Cloud users (after the first year)

Adobe CC Suite Release Date: June 17, 2013

To discover the full, wonderful world of the Adobe Creative
Cloud, we invite you to visit the official Adobe Creative Cloud site.